How She Does It: How Women Entrepreneurs Are Changing the Rules of Business Success

I applaud Margaret Heffernan for writing this book. Having worked 17 years for a global, multi-billion dollar corporation, I can totally relate to her findings. I do believe that empathy plays such a strong role and is missing in our MBA-run companies. Our 6th sense does matter. And, there is such a thing as the glass ceiling in traditional businesses. Congratulations, Ms. Heffernan. I loved the book and have recommended it to all my women friends.

Ah, the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial life...for a woman. Finally, we get companions, colleagues, a community and a coach. Clearly, the author has been there and done that and has lived to tell not only her own lessons but the lessons of some other fine women who she clearly has wisely selected. Not only does Margaret weave in her own deep wisdom and experience but she incorporates her very own fine art of storytelling to deliver not only the messages but the deeper meaning behind those messages of the women she writes about. Her choices of stories cover a wide spectrum and I cannot imagine a women entrepreneur not identifying with more than one of them. This book is bound to touch and teach any reader in the midst of their entrepreneurial career, at a crossroads in that career or just beginning to think about the possibility. As a thirty-plus entrepreneur myself, the book provided immediate support, encouragement, as well as head nods and smiles. Margaret is a straight talker. She describes the uniqueness of our contributions to the leadership of our companies and shows us where we still need to do some growing. Her last chapter is inspirational and a strong charge to leaders of all organizations to consider the contribution that women already make and can continue to make to the changing landscape of organizational life. Be aware that this is absolutely not only a book about women. Any male entrepreneur or business leader can lean a great deal form this perspective and straightforward advice and ideas.

Margaret Heffernan has written her second book after "The Naked Truth" which I found enlightening, encouraging and helpful. In "How She Does It", Heffernan zeroes in on "entrepreneuses" as she calls them in her first book, to better understand how women run their businesses compared to men. Here are the reasons I think this is a great read: 1. She talks from a position of having "been there, done that" and is able to add a credible commentary and context to the subjects she is talking about, and drawing deeper conclusions that may not have been possible for someone merely reporting on the subject. 2. She is realistic - she is very careful to point out that despite being successful business leaders, these women still face barriers and obstacles with their male colleagues and/or peer group. For example, she talks about a woman who decides to take her business private after she is repeatedly undermined by the traditional white middle aged men on her board, despite her obvious success in growing her company and taking it public. 3. Her analysis is intelligible and concrete - being structured around specific themes where she sees women doing things differently than men. For example, she highlights "value based leadership", as do a lot of business writers these days, but where she distinguises herself, in my opinion, is that she backs up this claim with very specific, concrete examples of day-to-day actions her subjects take (e.g. National Van Lines and their philosophy of training their drivers differently and more thoroughly than the competition, down to being able to talk to individual drivers on a first name basis whenever they visit headquarters), as well as the impact these practices have on a macro level. This is a great book to read if you want to understand what it takes for a woman to be successful at running a business, while not entirely giving up core parts of your belief system unique to women, and more importantly, derive some encouragement from other successful role models. This is not a how-to book that lays out the twelve steps you need to take to become a successful business leader if you are a woman.

Margaret Hefferman has written the definitive book on women entrepreneurs that is a well-researched and engaging guide to how we do it. She has done it well. Whether you have your own business, are contemplating starting one or just want to learn from those who have succeeded, How She DOes It is the perfect playbook for success---the women's way. Hefferman's interviews are a goldmine of truths from inspiring women from whom we can learn... to honor ourselves and NOT imitate the male model of business ownership. How She Does It is a fascinating read that made me feel proud of the women forging the future of business.

The women in Heffernan's book redefine power and find success on their own terms. An inspiring look at a new model for business success, based on a new set of rules. An essential addition to the library of any entrepreneur or businesswoman.